: Identification of Markers Associated With Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Tolerance in Spring Oat and Their Utilization in Predictive Breeding.

Spring oat (Avena sativa L.) historically has been an important cereal grain crop for human and livestock consumption, and although production has significantly declined through the 20^th and early 21^st century, oats are still recognized for their nutritional and health benefits.  Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYD) is the most important viral disease of oat and causes economically significant yield losses worldwide.  BYD is caused by Barley Yellow Dwarf Viruses (BYDV) that are vectored by aphids.  Until recently, molecular marker technology in oats has lagged behind corn and soybean.  Using a 6K SNP array performed using the Infinium Assay developed by Illumina, two recombinant inbred populations were genotyped.  Linkage mapping and QTL analysis were performed and identified important chromosomal regions on 1C, 3C and 19A.  These results were confirmed through QTL analysis with an association panel, and the markers identified have the potential to be used in predictive breeding through parental selection.